J&K flash floods: Doda-Kishtwar highway blocked, vehicles buried near Kwar power project – what we know | Today’s news
Heavy overnight rainfall triggered flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda and Kishtwar districts, leaving a trail of destruction on the Doda-Kishtwar highway and disrupting traffic on Monday. Several vehicles were buried under mud and debris near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar hydroelectric project, according to PTI.
The floods washed a large amount of mud, rocks and debris onto the highway, severely disrupting traffic on the route.
Officials said the flood damaged a section of the highway, forcing authorities to suspend traffic. Vehicles parked along the road in Prem Nagar were engulfed in mud and debris. Despite the damage, no casualties or injuries were reported, officials added.
Situation to the north in Doda’s Premnagar
National Highway 244 in Doda district was closed in Premnagar after flood water and debris made the road impassable, ANI reported. The closure left several vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway. Authorities have begun work to restore the road and clear debris, while advising commuters to avoid the affected highway and follow official traffic warnings until normal traffic is restored.
NHIDCL Highway Manager Sunny Padha told ANI that the situation in Premnagar is critical and authorities have launched an immediate road clearing operation to restore connectivity.
“Actually, it’s Neeraj Prem Nagar, near the Kalka Mata temple; my vehicle was parked there. I got a call in the morning that my vehicle was there. When I arrived, the atmosphere was eerie; there was heavy flooding. I even have it on video. Because I actually work here – I’m the highway manager for this area – and I immediately called the JCB conveyor to clear the conveyor. The morning was indescribable,” he said.
The heavy rainfall also caused a major landslide and mudslide near the tunnel section of the under-construction 540 MW Kwar hydroelectric project in neighboring Kishtwar district.
Flash floods swept huge amounts of mud and boulders into the project site, burying several vehicles, including trucks, dozers and other construction machinery, and damaging construction materials, officials said.
Several vehicles sustained extensive damage and remained buried under the debris. Officials said rescue and clearance operations are underway to extricate the stranded vehicles and restore the project area.
Officials said minor flash floods were also reported from the higher elevations of Reasi district.
The administration had earlier issued a weather warning predicting heavy rain, thunderstorms, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Residents, especially those living near rivers and nallahs, have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid venturing into dangerous areas.
Samba records 90 mm of rainfall, the highest in the Jammu region
According to the Samba Meteorological Department, Jammu region recorded the highest rainfall of 90 mm during the 24-hour period that ended at 8:30 am on Monday. It was followed by Kathua (66.2 mm), Katra (44.4 mm), Doda (42 mm), Jammu (41.8 mm), Udhampur (40.6 mm), Bhaderwah (33.6 mm), Kishtwar (24 mm), Reasi (10.5 mm), Batote (4.7 mm), Ramban (4.5 mm) and Banhali (4.5 mm).
